Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-08-04
PART H-CHAPTER L
INCIDENTS OF THE NrGHr

OiOWly ana SuperDiy the great round
moon rose over the southern seas and
poured down flood of light on the
wide waste of waters. No land was
now in sight; the Cuban mountains
had sunk below the horizon, and the
nearest low land of the Bahamas was
far to the northward. The wind held
steady, veering now more to the south
ward, so that the bark held easily on
her course, which was now northeast
by north. A gentle swell agitated the
surface of the sea. For thirty rods
astern the foaming track of the vessel
could be seen. A solitary sail far to
the eastward, visible at sunset, had
now faded from sight. The constella-
1ions came out, hardly dimmed by the
splendor of the moon, and shone with
brightness unknown in higher lati-
tudes.
Such night as this aboard ship
Captain Willis had never seen; indeed
few masters of vessels had. His good
ship was speeding along through the
water at rate that babe fair to make
this voyage remarkable for its brevity;
but the unruly human elements aboard
made his eyes almost sleepless, his
heart anxious. He had calculated that
it would be possible to reach Nassau
before the following night, where he
had determined to make an effort to
get rid of the worst elements of his
crew, even if he had to continue the
voyage short-handed. That night he
and Crawford watched and took the
wheel alternately with the mate and
Dick Purvis. Mr.. Hardy had divided
the crew into watches, had instructed
them in the duty and hours of the
watch. and carefully struck the bells
himself. or had Dick do it; but not for
moment did he or the Captain put
the slightest confidence in the crew.
About midnight the mate was keep
ing watch. with Crawford at the
wheel. The Captain awoke from
doze, and saw Purvis coming aft.
''How is it, Dick?" he asked. ''What
do you find for ard?''
Every little to speak of, sir. replied
the seaman, scraping his foretop. '.Tve
tried hard to get familiar with some of
'em; but they fight dreadful shy of
me. Not word would any of 'em say
in my hearing, till they found didn't
under stand Spanish, and since then they
are jabbering pretty much all the time.
The niggers look at me in an ugly
kind of way, now 1 tell you! This
morning they would have nothing to
do with the Cubans or the stowaways;
now they're all cheek-b-jowl together,
chattering Spanish. The stowaways
can't talk it; but 1 believe such ras-
cally-looking chaps as they are can be
made to understand villainy in any
language
Have you seen Mr.. Hunter?''
s'Yes, sir-he was near the forward
ladder a few minutes ago. There he
is now"
The Captain jumped up and started
toward the figure that had just appeared
from amidships. The figure receded as
he advanced. With loud and per-
emptory .'Heave to, there!' he rushed
forward and caught the man by the
arm.
Louis, is this you?''
The face, turned silently to him in the
moonlight, showed him that it was as
he said.
'.Now what do you mean by evading
me in this fashion? What in the deuce
is the matter with yoe Don't you see
that I've got turbulent and mutinous
crew aboard, and that I want all the
friendly help can get?''
you've got something else aboard
that seems to interest you NIGHTLY"
sneered Louis. you've got an es-
capped filibuster; and l suppose you
don't mean to come into Cuban waters
again, after what has happened.
'sI'll take no instructions from you
nor any man about what course shall
pursue toward brave countryman,
hunted by the minions of Spain"
"Inever supposed you would; so al
low me to bid you goodnight.
Louis, listen to reason. Henry
Crawford is man whose acquaintance
would honor any of us. / want you to
see and talk with him."
'.Excuse me. I'm not very particular
about my associates, as I believe you
have told me several times; but have
never taken them from political refu-
gees"
Captain Willis tried hard to suppress
his anger He well understood that
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